FBI Director to testify before Congress the decision of 'no charges' against Hillary

Updated: Jul 07, 2016 14:39 IST

Washington, July 7 (ANI): Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James B. Comey has confirmed that he will testify before the U.S. Congress on Thursday, to explain his decision not to press criminal charges against Democratic presidential nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the private email investigation regarding her mishandling of classified emails.

Next week, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch will be called to testify before the House Judiciary Committee.

A Senate panel has asked the FBI to give answers to pointed questions on Clinton's email faux pax, reports the New York Times.

Reacting to 'no-charges' against Clinton, her Republican presidential nominee rival Donald Trump tweeted "The system is rigged."

Comey is a veteran law enforcement official who served as deputy attorney general in the George W. Bush administration and is highly regarded in both parties for his integrity and independence.

If he makes a convincing case for his decision on Thursday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, it would mean the Democrats can put the controversial email issue to rest.

A spokesman for Clinton, Brian Fallon, accused the Republicans of flip-flopping.

"For weeks, Republicans have said they trusted FBI Director Comey to lead an independent review in Secretary Clinton's emails. But now they are second-guessing his judgment because his findings do not align with their conspiracy theories," said Fallon.

However, Representative Robert W. Goodlatte of Virginia, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, made it clear that at the hearing with Attorney General Lynch, they would focus on Lynch's impromptu meeting with former President Bill Clinton before the FBI's all clear announcement.

The decision not to prosecute "is uniquely troubling in light of Attorney General Lynch's secret meeting with former President Bill Clinton," Goodlatte said in announcing the hearing.

Meanwhile Republicans are pushing for the public release of all the investigative materials, including a transcript of Clinton's recent interview with the FBI.(ANI)